The Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) has claimed the government will face “serious international pressures” if opposition People’s Alliance leader and Mulaku MP Abdulla Yameen is not released in the next seven days.
“The Qaumee Party has undertaken important efforts in the international arena towards this end,” reads a press statement the party issued today, adding that a delegation of DQP officials, including Dr Hassan Saeed and Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, were currently in the United Kingdom.
“If President Mohamed Nasheed’s government does not release the political party leaders arrested and kidnapped in violation of the laws and constitution in the next seven days, the Maldivian government will have to face serious international pressure.”
It adds that the government and President Nasheed would have to bear “full responsibility” for any possible international restrictions.
Yameen and Jumhoree Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim were taken into police custody after the government accused them of bribery and treason in a ‘cash-for-votes’ scandal at parliament. Several tapped phone conversations to this effect were leaked to the press shortly afterwards.
After the High Court ruled the pair would be kept under house arrest for 15 days while the case was investigated, an appeal to the Supreme Court resulted to their release early last week, on grounds of insufficient evidence.
Yesterday police complained their investigation into the allegations of parliamentary corruption were being obstructed by the judiciary, after senior police investigating the case were suspended from appearing in court.
The DQP today claimed that President Nasheed’s detention of Yameen after his repeated calls for the release of Burmese opposition leader Aung Sun Suu Ki, showed a “lack of sincerity,” and urged the government to accept international offers of mediation.
“Confused and grieving”
Meanwhile Yameen, who is currently under the ‘protection’ of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) at the Presidential retreat ‘Aarah’, spoke to Minivan News today and said his family are “confused and grieving” at his detention.
Yameen said the MNDF were treating him “very well” at Aarah, and that he had no complaints about this, however he was unable to meet with anyone and was “stranded.”
‘’I was not brought here upon my request, [the MNDF] requested I go with them, in order to cool down the situation of Male’,’’ Yameen said. “I asked them to allow me the chance to go on my own, to any island I wished. MNDF officers tried to [accommodate this], but the political appointees in the MNDF security council denied my request. When I refused to go with them, the two officers who came to take me told me that their superiors had ordered them to take me by force if I refused to come along.’’
“I do not want that protection from them, and I have told them,’’ Yameen told Minivan News, proposing that his detention was one of the actions Nasheed had recently said would be “out of the chart.”
‘’My whole family is now consumed with confusion and grief; I have a small child who is attending a pre-school,’’ he said.
President Mohamed Nasheed said in his weekend radio address that isolated political appointees would remain isolated was a reference to him, Yameen claimed.
“When I knew the MNDF planned to bring me here, I requested they bring one of my lawyers with me, to make sure that the MNDF was taking me to Aarah,’’ he said, “but they denied my request.”
Yameen said he had asked the MNDF when he would be freed, but they had replied they “did not know what to say about that.”
‘’It is unlawful and illegal to keep someone isolated, in the name of providing security, against his will,’’ Yameen alleged. “This government is a dictatorship ruling arbitrarily using the power of the fist.’’
He called on the armed forces to work within by the law and to understand that they were accountable and responsible for their actions.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has commenced a series of protests demanding the release of the opposition leader and calling the government to conclude its “unlawful acts”.
DRP MP Ahmed Nihan claimed that the government was to be blamed for the recent unrest and violence in Male’.
”They caused it so they could arrest Yameen, they created the scene that Male’ was in chaos,” said Nihan.
”It was not the real Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activists who were out on the streets that day, I can recognise their faces. They were boys that belong to different areas of Male’, even the police will know them.”
Nihan said DRP protests would be “a series of peaceful gatherings” in front of DRP’s head office.
”Yameen’s arrest violates the chapter on freedom in the constitution,” he added.
Press secretary for the president’s office, Mohamed Zuhair, said Yameen requested MNDF provide him security and that he was not allowed to go to any island he wished, because they felt they were best able to protect him at Aarah.
Acting outside the law
Independent MP Mohamed ‘Kutti’ Nasheed said on his blog that he interpreted Nasheed’s “acting outside of the chart” as meaning “acting outside of the constitution”.
MP Nasheed, who has acknowledged asking MP Gasim for “cash” but denies allegations of corruption and misconduct, said he believed he might “also be isolated in this manner.”
“Whether [isolation] is constitutional, or can be done with the existing laws, is another question,” he said.
As a consequence, Nasheed warns, the system put in place by the constitution and its authority is undermined and “the rights and powers guaranteed by the constitution come to an end.”
“[This was a] purposeful violation of the constitution by an act, definitely deliberate and forewarned, carried out in [a presidency] was given after swearing to rule in accordance with the constitution,” he writes.
The constitution was drafted in light of “years of experience where all the powers of the state were concentrated in the presidency”, he continues, and prioritises separation of powers, checks and balances and protection of fundamental rights over “the convenience of the president”.
(0)Dislikes
(0)Related Posts
Maldives Decides 2013- MNDF ‘withdrew’ former First Lady’s bodyguards
- Security services to receive medals on Independence Day
- Two men drown in Fiyori, one boat sinks in bad weather
- Soldier to be punished over Facebook support for ex-minister
- Prosecutor general criticises law enforcement amid spike in violence
I'm sorry but who the f**k is Kutti Nasheed to be the Almighty Interpreter of the Constitution. Don't give publicity to this little 'I need some cash' clown and his sorry little blog. Let him scream for more cash!
As for DQP, let them run like headless chicken like they always have. After all, how much of the population do they represent? Don't make us laugh Mr Hassan Saeed; you're a joke. Running around your new found mates, Jangiyaa Nazim, Yameen and Co., simply has exposed you more what you are; a selfish power hungry zealot.
We fully support what the President is doing. He has no choice in the matter. Their is systematic corruption and nepotism in this country. He has to take extra-ordinary measures without delay to rescue the country. Otherwise, we will all be slaves to these 'Bodun' for generations to come.
People like Yameen DO NOT want the poor and ordinary people to have a better life. They want to enslave us like they have enslaved us in the past.
We have total faith in President Nasheed. He knows full well how thugs like Yameen and Jangiya operate; afterall he suffered as a result of them in the past. We should not stop now until all the likes of Jangiyaa and Yameen in society are exposed for who they really are: thugs, thieves and criminals.
Well said Ahmed.
I need some cash clown? Haha
Kutti interpreting the constitution is the joke of the year. I thought Kutti was a beggar not a lawyer. Do you think a beggar has a clear mind and honesty?
All intellectual know that Anni is a clean and civilized man. These thugs have given him no choice but act I bit awkward. Look that Buruma Kashi, what he was talking on his toy TV . A street boy would not talk that cheap language. Who he was referring “Is it our fault that you are not rich, you are not rich because you are lazy” these were his words. How can you let loose these guys in a gullible society? People will go dismay. Look the audience of that Qasim’s talk show, how people were applauding if it was like great hero addressing of heroism. These are the people Anni is dealing. He is a zoo keeper what else he can do.
These guys think being a Maldivian president is like owning the goose that lays golden egg. But the truth is Maldives is a very poor country without any resources, Anni is trying his best to do something to give people a better life.
Would be interesting to know the British conservatives would react... or would they switch sides if the position is untenable?
Hey Yameen!
If you think what the President of Maldives meant by "out of the chart" means acting outside the constitution why are you people with the majority not acting on it?
You know what? They are doing everything WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION.
You can't fool people now.
You think mentioning your 4 year old child will create sympathy for you?
Do you know how many fathers and mothers were kept away from their children during the past 30 years?
You could have easily left the country when your brother lost the elections. Then you would not be feeling stranded in the cocoon of crime that only you have woven around yourself today.
In a country where we have a corrupt Judiciary and a parliament, what can you do by following the rule of law?
Hassan Saeed is a traitor who betrayed and n
back stabbed Maumoon after all the trust placed in him against the wishes of more senior and loyal Ministers of the previous regime. I dont know how he goes around the world with out any shame and now trying to pressure the international community to pressure the government with sanctions in order to save the most corrupt bandits of the previous regime at whom very openly this Hassan Saeed pointed the finger after he left Maumoon.
AHMED YOU JUST SUMMED IT UP PERFECTLY..N CAN SOMEBODY TELL THE BRITISH POLITICIANS WHAT SAEED AND JAMEEL SAID DESCRIBING BRITISH AND INDIAN INVOLVEMENT IN MALDIVIAN POLITICS AND ECONOMY..I REMEMBER THEM SAYN THINGS LIKE COLONISING..YA EVEN MATHEEN SAID INDIA TRYN 2 COLONISE..CAN SOMEBODY EXPOSE THESE TWO FACE CROOKS
I also believe The opposition and specifically DRP is behind the current crisis. Government may seem to be doing all this but what choice do they really have. The only mistake perhaps by the government is they did not do this as soon as they got the power. Allowing the thugs from Maumoon's era to get a foot hold in post-Maumoon era did make this more difficult.
International community will do nothing. They did not do anything when Gayoom did similar stuff and will do nothing now. It was the international community that made a devil out of Anni by giving him environmental awards which he did not deserve and making him think that he could do anything and get away.
President Nasheed is on the right track but he is not doing it entirely correct. He should get hold of these corrupt lot and throw them into Kuda Golhi. By keeping Yameen in Arah he is getting undue publicity and in the eyes of the corrupt he is being hailed as a hero. The majority in the Maldives are corrupt which means before President can clean the country they will clean him and we would be back in the Golha era.
I am with GOM on the fight against corruption.
Yaameen should now realize how the STELCO and STO staff, exiled to other islands when he was chairman, and their families would have felt.
Hassan Saeed does not have the public support to challenge the GOM and is running around the world to defame them. Is he doing this with public funds allocated to DQP? Is there reason for him and his friends to be concerned with corruption investigations?
This Yameen guy should be locked up for life for trying to incite violence in this country; for funding the thugs. He is not a politician. He is a power hungry creature with an inflated ego. He has to be made irrelevant in the Maldivian political equation.
Why don't MDP start from their own backyard, at least that will show MDP is genuine.
Me thinks QP roses went to UK because they were scared. They are running to hide.
To liken Yaameen, a person known by all and sundry for corruption, to Aung Sun Suu Ki is hilarious. I am sure people in QP have no idea who she really is. QP will know Malysia better and therefore they should liken Yaameen to Anwar Ibrahim, whom we know was jailed for causes which would have more parallels with Yaameens actions.
What is wrong with this DQP. I dont mind DRP doing these gathering but DQP, how many citizen does they represent from this country. Its seems that almost 3000 member there are in this party (So called most educated people in the country) how only have two seats from the parliment sold to Gasim. And about JP (The One man Opposition Party) who have one Seat in the parliment, which have bought rest of the "Minivan" members with Gasim's Money.
I dont know why DRP is so concern about this may be because yameen is the brother of former dictator.
Dr.Hassan Saeed and his Boy has made a pack with the devils.
Who could imagine these two will join hands with Gasim, Yamin and Nazim.
Sorry Dr. Hassan Saeed you've lost one supporter for good. I really thought you are a man of substance.
Untill the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his associats are brought to justice Maldives will never have peace.
All the trouble you are seen to day in the capital Male' is all created and directed by the former President Maumoon Abdul.
Very brilliantly Maumoon pull his face out of the lime light and moved into his foundation office and this is how he is doing his good work.
Can i have some cash?
who the hell does this yamin guy think he is ... the guy is no politician but a weak pathetic power hungry idiot who has stolen our wealth... he wants a fight? fine we'll give him a fight .. time for him to go to kuda golhi for good . thats right!! bring it on !!..
7 days... and we'll see... president nasheed it's time for you to resign!
I wounder what was the out come of the predictions from the Paul the octopus about which side is going to win from this political game. Heard that Hassan and Jameel is in EU to get a feed back from Paul.
BismillahirahmaniRaheem
Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmathullahiwa Barakhatu.
My name is Ben Abdul-Rahman Plewright. I am a graduate of political sciences from the University of Western Australia. Though I am not a Maldivian, I feel compelled to refute the claim that the MDP are the ones who have suspended the newly founded Maldivian constitution. The truth of the matter, I here assert, is that it is the other way around.
Oh, and, what is my business interfering in your internal affairs, you may ask? Well, first of all, I am a Muslim, and I take seriously the Hadith that the Ummah is as one body, and the pain of one Muslim should be felt and alleviated by all other Muslims. Second of all, I believe in what Martin Luther King said, “Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere…” We are all profoundly interconnected. This is especially demonstrated in my situation since I am married to a beautiful Maldivian Woman and I have two half Maldivian children and perhaps a third one on the way.
It was the since arrested parliamentarians and the corrupt judges who suspended the constitution initially by ignoring the separation of powers which must exist between the parliament and the judiciary. The opposition broke the constitution down, Anni (President Mohammed Nasheed), the MNDF and the MDP Cabinet are struggling to mend the constitution within whatever means they can. He cannot do so strictly within the constitutional framwork as the opposition broke the constitutional framework down.
This move by the MDP and MNDF to eradicate those who disregard the constitution is necessary for the salvation of the long term effectiveness and sovereignty of the constitution. It is the salvation of liberal democracy in the Maldives.
One of the main aspects of the constitution is the independance of the judiciary. When a parliamentarian (Yamin or Nazim or any power-brokers within the parliament) control the judiciary, it is absolutely necessary that the judiciary and that any controlling parliamentarian be removed from power to preserve and restore the separation of power between the parliament and the judiciary (the legislature and the judiciary.)
MDP are fighting for the integrity of the constitution, they are not suspending or violating the constitution, the constitution was already destroyed by the parliamentarians and judges who violated it, Anni is fixing it!
This move by MDP and MNDF is necessary for the salvation of the constition and for the long term realization of democracy in the Maldives.
Please, Dr. Shaheed, and anyonelse who can, please deliver this truth to the international community so that they will support your struggle to save liberal democracy in the Maldives.
Long live the Constitution, thankyou MDP for fighting to save the constitution!
Ben Abdul-Rahman Plewright
We have had 30 years of "Kaamineegey verikan", followed by just one n half years of "Kenereegey verikan" and you mean we have to start the 31st year of "Kaamineegey verikan". yeah yeah i get it but are we Maldivians that dumb.
shame on DQP!..comparing our beloved Aung San Suu Ki to this high profile corrupted villain Yaameen!
@F.A.D
Now that's something I have to disagree. Aung San Suu Ki did nothing great. Actually she is a confidante of the US. That's how she became great.